Chrysler 300 Hubcaps and Wheel Covers
If you happen to own a 300 station wagon, then you know they were also manufactured in the luxury-vehicle class. One important aspect of keeping up the appearance of a luxury vehicle is maintaining the wheels. Hubcaps figure into that scenario quite prominently.
What is the difference between hubcaps and wheel covers?In the early days of the automobile industry, wheels consisted of bicycle-like spokes made from wood or steel. The center portion contained the mechanics, or literally the nuts and bolts, of keeping it attached to the vehicle. That center mechanism was greased to maintain a smooth-functioning assembly, and the greased parts required protection from the elements. A hubcap was created, typically with the vehicles logo imprinted on it, to conceal and protect the lug nut area. The hubcap is technically the small cap that covers the central hub.
A wheel cover, which covers the entire wheel, has come to be interchangeably referred to as the hubcap. Current vehicles rarely have spokes unless they are custom made, so the wheel cover dresses it up. It also protects the lubricated center workings from debris. The cover also consists of a series of air holes that are part of the design pattern. This allows for air to flow through for optimal performance.
What size hubcaps does the Chrysler 300 take?The hubcap size of this Chrysler line varies widely from 17 to 20 inches, depending on the style. When the Chrysler 300 series first hit the market in 2005, both its V6 and V8 engines with all-wheel drive wore 18-inch hubcaps, while the base rear-wheel drive sedan with V6 and V8 engines carried 17-inch hubcaps. That formula has remained basically intact with a few exceptions.
The 2008 Chrysler 300 DUB Edition sported 20-inch wheels. In 2011, the Chrysler 300 Limited Edition sedan offered both 18 and 20-inch sizes. The innovative design continued, and by 2013 new styles and larger wheels were the norm. The base model and a version of the Limited Edition still offered 17 and 18 inches, respectively. The trend became 19 and 20 inches for both V6 and V8 engines, however.
What types of hubcaps and wheel covers are available?A variety of exterior wheel cover designs are offered for the Chrysler 300. Each of them has lug openings so they affix directly to the axles components, and the lug nut is tightened onto the cover. This system holds the cover firmly in place. Additionally, Chrysler provides hubcaps with the Chrysler logo to cover the lug nut area.